Chapter Text
Chapter 6
A Walk to Remember
Elizabeth grinned as Nathan took her hand to help her down the steps of her house. She really was enjoying the extra pampering. Especially if it meant more hand-holding with Nathan. Perhaps a walk was just what she needed to keep the blood flowing and promote healing in the ankle.
She couldn't believe that she was once again taking a walk with a man. Her heart stopped. This familiar feeling of… love. ...Was it... love she felt? Whoa. She encouraged herself to take it one step at a time. Literally because she didn't want to exercise clumsiness anymore, and more importantly… with her heart. She trusted her heart, she trusted God. She had been deeply in love before. So recognizing it would be rather easy….or so it would seem. Elizabeth pondered that thought as Nathan offered her his elbow and headed down the road.
True love; does it always feel the same? Love is love because God is love, and we should know love when we have it… because we know God. With that thought, perhaps she answered her own question.
Elizabeth sighed and smiled.
Nathan looked concerningly at Elizabeth. But then smiled at her.
Her thoughts continued. It occurred to her that she, perhaps, had a rather deep understanding of courtship, love, and well, love in marriage that perhaps Nathan did not. She, in fact, brought a unique perspective and experience to the relationship. Which she prayed would serve them well. If she continued to seek God with her heart, the wisdom of her experiences, her pain, her loss, would certainly guide her.
To her knowledge, Nathan had never been engaged or in a serious relationship. Considering all these things, she prayed that she would approach this new romance and partnership with new eyes and with an open mind and heart.
" Elizabeth? Are you ok? Something on your mind?" Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Elizabeth stopped walking mid-thought and turned to look up into Nathan's eyes.
"Nathan, I am so sorry. I seem to have a lot on my mind."
"Oh... anything you care to share?"
"It's just…well…I'm just pondering a few things."
Elizabeth felt a flutter in her stomach, a rather pleasant and exciting feeling, one she hadn't felt in quite some time. A familiar warmth of excitement passed through her body.
"And my stomach keeps doing that thing it does."
"Are you feeling ok? Should I walk you back home?" Nathan looked at her, concerned.
"Oh, Nathan, I'm fine." I'm more than fine. It's just been a while since I've felt this feeling." She placed her hand on her stomach.
"Oh?" "Are you sure you're ok?"
Elizabeth was humbled by his humble heart and concern for her. Such a protector, this Mountie.
"Well, Constable Grant, it seems… well, you seem to have quite the effect on me."
"Oh."... "I hope that's a good thing... this effect."
"Oh, I think so."
"And just when does this… effect happen?" He grinned over at her.
"Hmm."... When you do this, Elizabeth sighed as she let go of his escorting arm to slowly slide her hand down his forearm for her hand to join with his.
"Oh, …yes. He cleared his throat. "I see what you mean."
"Did you feel that?"
"I did," He grinned.
"I am beginning to get quite fond of that feeling, actually. If I had my own way, I might be inclined to try it again tomorrow." Nathan said as he grinned.
"Oh, really now." She gave him a flirtatious grin.
Elizabeth noticed a few glances their way as they walked into town.
"People are staring."
"Of course they are. You're beautiful."
Elizabeth glanced up at him with a flattered smile.
"Thank you, Nathan, but I think they're staring at us. Not just me."
"Oh." Well, that's possible too.
"We will certainly keep everyone talking." She said as she glanced around.
"I'll say. Let them talk. I think everyone wants you to be happy. They love you, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth gave Nathan's fingers a little squeeze. He squeezed her back.
Say, what do you think they would say if they saw this? He stopped, turned to her, and gave her a tender kiss on the knuckles.
Elizabeth blushed. "Why, Constable Grant, you better be careful now."
"No need for any scandals," She laughed.
They turned and continued on.
Elizabeth's mind quickly went to a memory of Jack
"I'm riding out at dawn, should be back by nightfall."
Jack looked over at Elizabeth as they walked hand in hand into town
"I don't like that word SHOULD." Elizabeth, concerningly, their joined hands swung as they walked.
With the hand not holding hers, by gently touching her waist, he turned her toward him face to face. Needing to show her his sincerity and confidence that he would return to her.
"I WILL be back by nightfall." Jack looked at her seriously and lovingly
"We don't even know if the Tate boys are anywhere near Hope Valley. We're just riding on just to be on the safe side."
"You're just trying to make me feel better," Elizabeth pleaded.
"Is it working?"
Jack looked around and behind him to see if anyone in the town was looking at them. He intended to convince a bit more passionately and dramatically and didn't really care for an audience.
Jack pulled her against the nearby house, took her into his arms and attempted to drown her in his love with a very convincing kiss. Jack gently pulled back and smiled at her. Their faces an inch apart feeling each other's warm breath on wet lips. Elizabeth grinned back at him.
Jack starts to turn to continue their walk when Elizabeth stops him by taking hold of his arms and looks deeply into his eyes.
"Be safe."
Jack didn't feel the need to reply, just pulled her in for another sweet kiss, took her hand and kissed her ring as they turned to continue their walk
Elizabeth, back in the present, let out a gasp.
"Elizabeth, are you ok?"
"Nathan, this walk, I remembered Jack…and..
"Elizabeth, is this too much, too soon?"
Elizabeth batted her eyes with her gloves. Tears were spilling over.
Nathan turned her to face him, looked around to take her to a place more private. Just as Jack had done in her memory.
Nathan, I'm ok. Just a sweet memory that's all. I'm more thankful than anything to be here with you now. I'm so overwhelmed with how this is all happening. How can I be so blessed to have found love again? It's such a rare, nearly unusual thing to fall in love, you know. But two times in one's life. What did I ever do to deserve such grace? Such a gift?
"Love is it?" He looked at her with a smile.
"Elizabeth, I don't understand it all either. But I do know that in this life, we will face troubles; there is no escaping that. Pain and sorrow are a guarantee. But the Lord, rich in grace and mercy, gives us good gifts. All good things come from Him. He allowed your suffering for a reason. He has great plans for your life. He will never leave you or forsake you. Elizabeth, you deserve the world.
"Nathan…" She paused, taken aback by his words and wisdom.
"And you, no doubt, are part of that plan. Thank you for being an amazing friend to me." She said, looking up at him.
The setting sun created a beautiful glow all around. Elizabeth noticed the glow in Nathan's blue eyes. Eyes that she knew she could trust.
"You are an amazing person, Elizabeth. You inspire me and so many others every day. " It's becoming more evident every day. "You are everything Jack said you were."
They continued hand in hand. Memories of past walks around the town with Jack came to mind as she walked. Knowing that Jack had sent Nathan to her to protect and look after her. His trusted friend. Jack had encouraged her to open her heart to love again. She trusted him, even still, even now. Love is incredibly and awesomely overwhelming.